Paperhanger&#39;s table and straightedge



Jan. 25, 1944. I M. N. BU'CHT PAPERHANGERS TABLE AND STRAIGHT EDGE Filed May 21', 194; 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 I jizwfii 772% WM!!! Jan. 25, 1944. M. N. BUCHT PAPERHANGERS TABLE AND STRAIGHT EDGE 2 Sheets-Shee 2 Filed May 21, 1941 W fzw 2" Mimi? 1 edge parts disassembled.

Patented Jan. 25, 1944 PAPERHANGERS TABLE AND STRAIGHTEDGE Maurice N. Bucht, Wakefield, Mass.

Application May 21, 1941, Serial No. 394,480

14 Claims.

This invention relates to tables and straight edges such as are used by paperhangers to trim wall paper and prepare it for hanging. Such tables are of considerable length and the straight edge is approximately the length of the table.

One object of the present invention, therefore, is to provide a table which can be folded for transportation and storage and to provide a sectional straight edge which can be reduced in length when not in use and may be supported and enclosed by the table when the table is folded.

A further object is to provide a hinge connection for the table portions which may be adjusted as necessary to maintain the table sections in accurate alinement when the table is extended for use.

Still another object is to provide on the table adjustable stops for cooperation with the straight edge to facilitate the proper placing of the straight edge with relation to the margins of the paper which must be trimmed off and which often are of different widths along opposite side edges of the paper.

For a more complete understanding of this invention, reference may be had to the accompanying drawings in which Figures 1 and 2 are perspective views of the table in condition of use and folded, respectively.

Figure la is a perspective view showing a modified form of paper edge guide.

Figure 3 is a detail section to a larger scale on line 3-3 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a detail section on line 4-4 of Figure 3.

Figure 5 is an exploded perspective view of a hinge and its mounting.

Figure 6 is an exploded perspective view showing a straight edge table stop and its relation to the table.

Figure 7 is a top plan view of the straight edge.

Figure 8 is a fragmentary top plan view similar to a. portion of Figure '7, but showing the straight Figure 9 is a detail section on line 99 of Figure '7.

Figure 10 is a detail section on line l0l0 of Figure 9.

Figure 11 is a fragmentary perspective view showing one cooperative relation between the straight edge and a table stop.

Figures 12 and 13 are fragmentary top pla views showing the two cooperating positions of the straight edge with relation to the table for trimming off opposite margins of the paper.

Referring first to Figures 1 to 3, there is illustrated a table comprising two sections l hinged together by hinges 2 so that they may be brought into a single plane as shown in Figure 1 or may be folded up together as shown in Figure 2'.

The remote end portions of the sections I may be provided with folding supports 3. As shown such supports comprise the leg elements 4 braced crosswise of the table by the brace members 5 and adapted to be held vertically in table-supporting position by foldable toggle links 6. This arrangement permits the legs 4 to be folded in pairs close against the under sides of the sections l, which may then be folded about the axis of the hinges 2 into the form shown in Figure 3, the sections of the table I being then somewhat spaced apart to provide room for receiving the legs 4 between them adjacent to their side margins and to leave a space centrally within which other parts such as the sectional straight edge, to be later described, may be housed, so that the table forms an enclosing package within which other parts may be placed for, convenience of transportation or storage.

In order to provide for spacing between the table portions 1 when folded, the hinge axis is spaced below the lower face of the table portions l, and as such a table is subject to hard usage in service and it is necessary that the portions I be held rigidly. in a common plane when the table is opened for service, means are provided for adjusting the portions l with respect to each other and to the hinges so that inaccuracies in alinement may be corrected from time to time as they appear. For this purpose each hinge 2 is shown as formed of two angle portions l0 and l I, which, when the table is open, have substantially alined horizontal legs 12 and I3 and angularly related legs l4 and i5 which are held together as by the hinge pintle I6. One of these angle memupstanding ears 22 which engage in suitable slots 2 in the table section and tend to anchor the plate 20 firmly in position. It may be set within: a recess in the lower face --of its table section to bring the lower face of the plate into the plane of the lower face of the other table section I when the table is extended for use. This plate 20 is shown as provided with a plurality of screw holes 23 through which screws 24 may be passed to hold the plate 20 firmly in position. It is also shown as provided with two holes 25 and at its end remote from the other table section I a downturned perforated ear 26. The holes 25 may have passed therethrough the shanks of bolts'3il, the heads 3| of which may be seated in recesses cut into the lower face of the table section. The shank 32 of each bolt extends through a hole 25 and through a slot 35 through theihorizontal leg l8 of the angle member I I. A nut 36 threaded 1 on the lower end of each bolt 30 secures theangle member IS in adjusted position withrespect to the table section to which it .is'secured. Adjustment of these parts may be afforded by the adjustment of a pair of nuts 49 engaging-"a bolt 4| secured in an ear A2 of the :anglemember l8 and passing through. ahole-43 ,inthe earlfi, there being one of the nuts-4fl ,.on eachside of the ear 26. By this means the hinge-connection-to the itableumaybeadjusted'from time to time as is necessary in 'order to maintain the table sections 1 in registry and in propertalinement when the table is unfolded.

' Ea-chef the table sections is'also, provided with a paper supporting and guide member 50, these members, --as shown, being'arranged along the adjacent redges of the corresponding table por- "tions I on "the top faces thereof andeach having -a raised margin or "edge gage '5! against which the edge of the paper may *be engaged. Each;

Thepaper'to be' trimmedwis brought up with its edge against theelement 5! and astraight edge is -then appliedover thepaperat therequired distance ."from the element -5 l to facilitate trimming :dff the'margin "of 'the 'paper tora width determined by the margin'outwardly of the design portion of the paperwhich is'to appearafter the T paper is' hung.

The straight'edge hasmany uses in connection with the hanging of "paper-aside from it use in "connection with the table "when ;paper is I being trimmed, so that it is importantthat the-straight edgerbe entirely separate and detached from the table/and that it have'no .parts'attached thereto or "projecting therefrom which might interfere 'withiany of the uses:for which the paperhanger may: wish ::to employ. it. There .ar 1alsooccasions whenarseparateistraight edge detached from the table idesirable :even for trimming, asince the straightiedge: isrthenxcapable 10f free;adjustment on theitable :or :on the :fleorratherthan having :1

:only thellimite'd :adjustment which-would result rshculdnthe straight edge iat'any. time be carried by orfixedzto-theltable.

It ris :also desirable -,that the ttop face ,of .the straight edge be -;free from obstructions which wouldjnterfere with: or ;prevent;.free movement of the: trimmer from one send to the other .of the straight edge :and to :be put =0I1= or.-r.emoved at eitherend of the straight edge.

Imaccordance with .thepresentinventiomtherethe folded table. asmade-of twoalined sections :80 and Bi {and for fore, the straight edge is unattached to the table, but is provided with parts for cooperation with parts on the table so arranged that these straight edge parts do not interfere with any other use of the straight edge for which th paperhanger may find it suitable or with the free use of the trimmer.

Commonly the margins to be trimmed off are of different widths along opposite side edges of the paper, and in accordance with this invention ,meansare provided by which proper setting of the straight edge may be rapidly effected for each a of these edges to be trimmed.

As the straight edge is a part of the paperiha-ngers equipment which must be transported to 'andffrom each particular job and as this straight edge needs to be almost as long as the table itself, provision is made in accordance with this invention by which the straight edge may be reduced in length and carried within the casing formed by For this purpose it is shown the purpose .of increasing the length of acontact between these alined sections to facilitateaccurate and rigid attachment of the .tWo togethen their line of juncture is shown as diagonal to the length of the straight edge. It should, however, be understood that the juncture may be .made at any angle to the length of the straight edg desired.

The straight edge shown includes a .central wooden core portion 62 enclosed in asheet metal sheath or protecting cover portion 63 which passes around the bottom face .of the straight edge and covers the side edges and .a portion of the top. As shown this metal .covering. .63 partially overlies ..a.slot 64 in the top .face of the straightedge core adjacent to one side edge. This provides a trackway for a cutter carriage (not shown) which .may be caused to traverse the length of the .straight edge-and trim offthe paper, either closely adjacent totheside edge of thestraight edge :or at a predetermined distance therefrom as maybe found mostconvenient. As such .cutter carriages are old and well known such carriage is not shown herein, and if desired it may b omitted,the operator then using a hand knife and cuttingalon the edge of the straightedge.

For the purpose of securing the sections and BI together, they may be provided with mating pins 65 and perforations 66 in their adjacent metal'end portions. These pins and, perforations accurately locate the's'traight edge sections with respect to each other and they may be secured together as by a screw 61. "The head "68 of this screw, which as shown maybe circular andprovided with radial perforations 69 suitabl for engag-ement with a rod .or other tool, is seated within a slot 10 in one of the straight edg sections as 60, and its shank extends through a perforation H in thissection, so that the threaded extremity 12 of the screw may engage in a matingly threaded hole I3 in the other straight edge section 6L After bringing the two straight edge sections together end forend, inserting the :pins 65in the holes 166, the screw':61.may:;be started within the hole 13 and then b-yiturningitherscrewithe straight sedge 'partsrmay b ":rigidlysecured in proper position.

The means for-locating the straight *edgeon the table quickly with reference to the particular margin width of thepaper which is to be trimmed off may comprisetwopairs of table stop elements 15 and Hi arrangedin two sets. ,Each .of these stop elements may compris gan angle abutment memberhavinga vertical lug 11 slottedilengthwise as at 18 and a horizontal stop portion or leg 19. These abutments may be positioned back to back with their stop elements 19 facing in opposite directions and their vertical le s 11 may be inserted through slots 80 in the top face of the table. For accuracy in positioning these parts, a wear plate 8| may be set into the top face of the table adjacent to each end, these wear plates carrying the slots 80, and. along the margins of the slots 80 scale lines 82 may be marked to aid in positioning the two abutments. They are arranged to be secured in position with the stop edges 83 of the table abutments positioned at the desired distance from the guide member on the table, and for this purpose an angle bracket 85 having an inwardly directed leg 86 and a perforated leg 81 may be secured to the lower face of the table, this being done as shown by passing screws 88 through holes in the leg 81 and into a reinforcing marginal member 89 of the tabl and through a horizontal'perforated ear 86a projecting from the leg 86. A bolt 99 secured to and projecting from the leg 86 and through the slots 18 of the table abutments permits these parts to be clamped together by tightening a wing nut 9| on the bolt 90. The edges 83 of the table abutment members are adjusted along th scale lines 82, one of these abutment members being adjusted for its stop to correspond with the margin on one side of the paper to be trimmed and the other with its stop being adjusted in accordance with the width of the margin along the other edge of the paper, and the abutments of each pair correspondingly positioned in two sets are adjusted for the sam margin spacing at both ends of the table. Abutments on the lower face of the straight edge spaced equally to the spacing of the table abutments of each set may then be brought selectively into engagement with the table stops of either selected set thereby to readily position the straight edge in accordance with the particular edge of the paper to be trimmed at any particular time.

The abutments on the straight edge are shown as positioned adjacent to opposite ends thereof and as shown each comprises an arm 95 carried by a squared shaft 96 journaled between one edge portion 91 of the metal cover 63 and at the other end in a bracket 98 secured to the plate portion 63 and located within a recess 99 in the filler strip 62. As shown the portion of the cover plate 63 intermediate to the side edges of the straight edge is raised, defining a pair of supports I along opposite edges of the straight edge and which rest upon the paper overlying the table or on the table itself. The arm may extend downwardly adjacent to one of these supports I06 and it may be held downwardly pressed against the table top beyond the ends of the paper as by a torsion coil spring llll secured at one end to the arm 96 and at the other to the plate 63. Should it be desired not to use the arms 95, each may be swung up out of the way into the dotted line position of Figure 10 where it may be held as by a set screw I 132 which may be brought up against one face of the squared shaft 96. Thi arm 95 may be brought up against either of the stop faces of th table abutments, it being shown as brought up against the inner of these abutments in Figure 11 at one end of the table. The straight edge abutment at the opposite end of the straight edge will then engage with the outer abutment at the other end of the table and with the abutments properly adjusted the outer edge of the straight edge will define a marginal space for cutting indicated at a: in Figure 12 between it and the guide member 5|. By moving the straight edge endwise, the stop arms 95 may be brought up against the edges of the other table'abutments of each pair as shown in Figure 13 so that the outer edge of the straight ed e defines with the guide member 5| a different marginal space Y. Thus by merely shifting the straight edge slightly it may be brought up against the table stops defining the proper marginal width for either edg of the paper. The straight edge abutments may be brought up against the edges of either selected set of table abutments remote from the guide member 5|, as shown in Figures 12 and 13, so that the bringing of the straight edge into either of its stopped positions acts to press the paper in the direction to bring its edge against the guide member 5 I.

In order to support th straight edge in convenient position for the paperhanger in placing or removing the paper from the table, the supporting table legs 4 may be provided with the hinged bars I l 0 which may rest on pins H I when in operative position to support the straight edge or may be rocked upwardly to come within the outlines of the folded table when it is in the condition of Figure 2..

In Figure 1a a modified construction of edge gage is shown which is made from standard metal parts. The top fac of this gage is formed by a metal plate I29 secured along the side portion of each table section, over the top edge of which extends one flange |2| of a channel member I22, the lower flange of which engages in a slot I23 in the edge of the table section The plate and channel may be secured as by screws to the table section. The inner edge of the flange l2! then acts as the edge gage in place of the element- 5| of the member 59, and as the flange |2| overlies the edge of the plate l2ll, it acts to hold down this edge and avoids the necessity of securing the plat I29 down by screws or other means in positions which might present an uneven cutting surface and thus impede free and smooth cutting action of the trimming knife or cutter.

It will be noted that the table stops do not interfere with the free sliding of the straight edge over the surface of the table, except when the straight edge is so positioned that its stops are in proper relation to engage one or the .other set of table stops. Neither set of table stops interferes in any way with the functioning of the other set and the straight edge may overlie the table stops of both sets at the same time.

From the foregoing description of an embodiment of this invention, it should be evident to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications might be made without departing from the spirit or scope of this invention.

I claim:

1. In combination with a table having a guide member against which the edge of paper may be engaged, two pairs of spaced stop members adjustably carried by said table spaced from said uide member and ofiset from each other in the direction of spacing, and a straight edge wholly detached from said table but which may be supported thereon and having means cooperating selectively with either pair of said stop members when said straight edge is applied to the paper on said table to define a marginal portion of said paper of a width dependent on the adjustment of the selected pair of said stop members.

2. A table having a guide member against which the edge of paper may be engaged, said table hav ing a pair of spaced slots therethrough extending. transverse to said guide member, a pair of angle abutment members each having a horizontal stop leg adapted to overlie said table and a vertical leg extending through said table slot, and means engaging said vertical leg for securing said member to said table with said stop lug spaced a determined distance from said guide member in position to define a location for a straight edge engaging said stop legs and defining a margin for the paper with respect to said guide member.

3. In combination with a table having a guide member against which the edge of paper may be positioned, two spaced pairs of abutment members relatively offset in the direction of their spacing and carried by said table, the abutment members of each pair being adjustably fixed in spaced relation to said guide member and at different points along the. length thereof, and a straight edge wholly detached from said table but which may be supported thereon and having a pair of longitudinally spaced abutments for engagement with the table abutments, th spacing of said straight edge abutments being equal to the spacing of the corresponding table abutments of each pair to permit the corresponding table abutments of each pair to determine the spacing of said straight edge from said guide member.

4. The combination with two members, one comprising a table and th other comprising a straight edge separate from said table but which may be supported thereon, one of said members having a pair of spaced abutments spaced back from one edge of said one member, and the other of said members having two pairs of abutments in ofiset relation to each other with respect to the spacing of said abutments, the abutments of each pair being spaced substantially equally to the spacing of'the abutments on said one member, said pairs of abutments having stop portions and with which the abutments of the other of said members may be engaged, the stop portions of the abutments of said two pairs being positioned at different distances from one edge of said other member whereby an edge of said straight edge may define with an edg of said table a pair of margins of difierent widths depending upon which pair of said two pair of abutments on said other member is engaged by the abutment of said one member.

5. The combination with a table having a guide member against which the edge of paper may be positioned, two spaced pairs of abutment members carried by said table, the abutments of the two pairs being offset in the direction of spacing said abutment members having edges remote from said guide member serving as stops, and the stop edges of the abutments of two pairs being positioned at difierent distances from said guide member, of a straight edge wholly detached from said table but which may be supported thereon and having abutments spaced correspondingly to the spacing of the table abutments of each pair for selective engagement with the stop faces of the table abutments of one or the other pair by motion of said straight edge toward said guide mem her to define by said straight edge trimming margins for the paper of either of two different widths depending upon which pair of table abutments is engaged by said straight edge abutments.

6. In combination, a table having a guide member extending therealong on its top face, and a slot extending through said table transverse to said guide member, a pair of abutment angles each having a slotted-vertical leg for extending into said slot and a horizontal leg for engagement with the top face of said table, said horizontal legs extending away from each other, a bracket secured to the lower face of said table, and a fastener extending from said bracket through slots of said vertical legs for securing said abutments'in adjusted positions with the horizontal legs forming stops on the top of said table for locating a straight edge with relation to said guide member.

7. In combination, a table, a pair of abutments projecting from the top face of said table, a straight edge wholly detached from said table but which may be supported thereon and having a pair of spaced supports for engagement with the top of said table, said straight edge havin abutments between said supports for ngagement with said table abutments for determining the location of said straight edge on said table.

8. In combination, a table, a pair of abutments projecting from the top face of said table, a straight edge wholly detached from said table but which may be supported thereon and having a pair of spaced supports for engagement with the top of said table, said straight edge having abutments between said supports for engagement with said table abutments for determining th location of said straight edge on said table, certain of said abutments being adjustably mounted for movement between operative and inoperative positions.

9. In combination, a table, a pair of abutments projecting from the top face of said table, a straight edge wholly detached from said table but which may be supported thereon and having a pair of spaced supports for engagement with the top of said table, said straight edge having abutments between said supports for engagement with said table abutments for determining the location of said straight edge on said table, said straight edge abutments being angularly adjustable between operative and inoperative positions.

10. In combination, a table having a guide member, a pair of abutments projecting from the top face of said table a predetermined distance from said guide member, a straight edge having a pair of spaced supports for engagement with the top face of said table, said straight edge hav ing abutments between said supports for engagement with said table abutments for determining a location of said straight edge on said table and with reference to said guide member.

11. In combination, a table, a metal plate secured to the top face of said table along one edge, and a member having a top flange extending inwardly over the outer edge of sai plate'and a depending portion secured to the side of said table, said flange serving to hold the outer edge of said plate in position and to act as an edge gage.

12. The combination with a table having a guide member against which the edge of paper may be positioned, two spaced pairs of abutments carried by said table, the abutments of each pair being fixed in spaced relation to said guide member and at difierent points along the length thereof, of a straight edge wholly detached from said table but which may be supported thereon, and means spacing the lower face of said straight edge above said table to permit said straight edge to be moved along the top of said table without interference from said abutments, said straight edge having a pair of elements spaced lengthwise thereofin accordance with the spacing of the abutment of each pair, which elements may be brought by motion of said straight edge into. contact with either of said pairs of abutments to define either selected of two widths of margin depending on the pair of abutments selected, between an edge of said straight edge and said guide member.

13. The combination with a table having a guide member against which the edge of paper may be positioned, a pair of abutments on the top face of said table spaced therealong, of a straight edge wholly detached from said table but which may be supported thereon, and means spacing the lower face of said straight edge above said table to permit said straight edge to be moved along the top of said table without interference from said abutments, said straight edge having a pair of elements spaced lengthwise thereof in accordance with the spacing of said abutments which elements may be brought by motion of said straight edge into contact with said abutments to define a width of margin between an edge of said straight edge and said guide member.

14. In combination, a table having a guide member against which the edge of paper may be positioned, two pairs of spaced abutments carried by and projecting above the top of said table and adjustable toward and from said guide member, and a straight edge wholly detached from said table but which may be supported thereon and having spaced supports for engagement with the top of said table and defining between them spaces into which said abutments may project, said straight edge having a pair of elements spaced therealong corresponding to the spacing of the abutments of each pair and which by motion of said straight edge may be moved against the abutments of either pair to determine by the positioning of the pair of abutments chosen the distanc between an edge of said straight edge and said guide member.

MAURICE N. BUCHT. 

